Gujarat tourists welcome multiple-entry UAE visa

AHMEDABAD: From now on you won’t have to stand in visa office queue each time you plan to spend your holidays in UAE. The authorities in UAE have given green signal to multiple-entry visa for Indian tourists coming through airport to UAE. This in turn is set to give a boost tourism from Gujarat to the emirates.
As per the multiple-entry visa, a tourist will be able to visit Dubai, Sharjahor any other place in UAE for more than one time in the 90-day period by only taking visa once.
As per UAE authorities, if you visit the UAE frequently due to business, then the most convenient visa for you would be the multiple entry visa. This visa is valid for 90 days and allows you to stay on the UAE soils for several days, but is non-extendable. The visa can be availed of on paying the prescribed fee. Unlike other visas, one cannot get this visa directly, you will have to enter the country under a visit visa then apply for a multiple entry permit while you are there.
“The strategic move will catalyse travel to the Emirates, in addressing not just leisure travellers, but equally the corporate/business traveler segment,” said Mahesh Iyer, COO, Foreign Exchange and Head – Visas, Thomas Cook India.
“More than 95% of the international flights from Ahmedabad operate to and from destinations in UAE. On average, there is a movement of over 50,000 passengers from Gujarat to various cities in UAE,” said a city-based tour operator. Earlier only Indian tourists going for cruise were allowed to have multiple entry visa.
“Destinations like Dubai and Abu Dhabi offer convenience of under 4-hour access, hence a long-term multiple entry visa creates an opportunity for repeat visits for travel-hungry Gujaratis,” added Iyer.